Chapter 2: Royal Engagement

Marion stepped down from the porch in her deep navy-blue gown and walked the short path toward the stables. As Grace had said, if there were ever a time to bring out your best qualities, this is it. Marion hated having to rely on physical assets. But the King would never fall for her mind if she was never allowed to speak.

Flashback

"Damon, do you think we're doing the right thing?" she heard her mother asking her father. She'd been meaning to ask for permission to go out with her friends, but her parents' discussion stopped her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she was so in love with that boy", her mother said wistfully, "I have no doubt that Oritel will make a fine husband, but what of our daughter? If she's still in love with him then-", Damon took his wife's hand.

"I trust that our daughter will make the best decision, and if she does, then she certainly won't be running back to the man who broke her heart" he said firmly. Her father never had a problem with Bennett, but he wasn't exactly fond of him either.

"She'd certainly make a beautiful Queen"

"And she will", her father reaffirmed. Marion could hear her mother sigh,

"…I just want her to be happy", Grace said quietly after a moment of silence. Marion remained still, with her back against the cold, hard wall. She knew what she had to do…

End of flashback

Had he gotten down on one knee, Marion would've said yes. But today, she would be celebrating her engagement to a different man. And she was doing so without complaint.

"I'm definitely going to miss riding with you, River…" she whispered, petting her horse.

"Ree? Hey, there you are. We're ready to go" her brother announced, rubbing his hands together.

"Talking to the horse again..?" he asked, tilting his head at the sight of her. Demetri could be a real pain in the neck sometimes.

"It's fine", she answered. He walked into the stable and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"This isn't goodbye you know, I'm sure the King would be fine with you coming home every now and then",

"I think I'll too busy running a Kingdom", she said, chuckling. Demetri raised his brows,

"You don't really think his majesty is going to take your help, do you?"

"He'll have to. It's the one thing I'm looking forward to" she said, decisively. Nothing motivated her more than the opportunity to do something for her realm. At the very least, her studies and hard work would be put to good use.

"For your sake and mine, I hope you're right. But for now," he said, offering his arm to her,

"We shouldn't keep your fiancee waiting". The last thing Demetri wanted to see was his little sister's hopes bursting into flames.

Marion gave her horse one last stroke before taking his arm and walking out. The ride to the palace was quiet, except for the occasional instructions from her mother who, from what Marion could tell, was also nervous. Her father, on the other hand remained quiet. But beneath his solid mask, Marion knew he was overflowing with pride.


The royal palace was said to have at least two-hundred rooms and nearly that many maids. It took an hour and a half to take a complete tour of the place, or so she'd heard. The thought of Domino's palace becoming her new home, made Marion's stomach hurt. She would certainly miss her family, her home, her bedroom…which coming to think of it, wouldn't be her bedroom anymore. It would be theirs. Marion shook her head as she felt her face beginning to heat up. All the while, the smell of fresh roses and lavender filled the air as they crossed the illuminated palace gardens and the fountain at the center of the courtyard. It was a paradise of scents and colors that made Marion feel more at ease, in spite of it all.

As soon as they entered the palace, the King and his parents stood up respectfully, awaiting by their thrones. Marion made an effort not to look all around like a fanatic, but it was difficult not to. From the white and gold polished floor to the large crystal chandeliers that lit the ballroom, to the marble pillars that extended to the ceiling, the great hall had to be the most beautiful place she'd ever seen.

Marion hadn't expected to see this many people. Apparently, their engagement party was quite the event. All around the dancefloor, members of royal society were either drinking out of a wineglass, or chatting casually while the orchestra played.

"Your royal Highness", her father bowed. It was strange to watch father show so much respect to a guy who was probably her brother's age. Then again, he was the King. Behind him were his parents, Leander and Regina, looking as regal as ever.

Oritel returned the gesture, his expression remaining stoic even as he stepped down from his throne and gave Marion his undivided attention. Marion felt her pulse racing as he took a good look at her for the first time. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, his chocolate-brown eyes gave nothing away. Was she not what he expected?

He, on the other hand, was very attractive. He stood at least four inches taller, dressed in a royal white suit with Domino's emblem on the upper left side.

"Your majesty, it's an honor" she curtsied. Oritel took her hand swiftly and kissed it.

"The honor is mine", he said in a velvety deep tone that would've had her best friend squealing, had she been at Marion's side.

Oritel looked over his shoulder at his father, "It's time", Leander nodded.

"Your attention please!" Leander called, rising from his seat, "It is our great pleasure to present to you our King and his betrothed, Marion of Domino" he announced, the entire ballroom erupted in cheer as a member of the court handed the King a small, black box. Oritel took out a blue-sapphire diamond ring and slipped it onto her finger, not once breaking their eye-contact. Marion could feel the heat rising to her cheeks.

A new round of applause caused them both to face the crowd again. Marion's eyes skimmed for any known faces but most of them were unfamiliar. She merely recognized her best friend Luna and her boyfriend, Radius, Samara and her parents, even the five guardian nymphs. And then, she saw him. Her breath caught in her throat.

Standing amongst the crowd was Ben, looking angry, surprised, confused, hurt… anything but happy. And Marion knew why. It could've been them celebrating their engagement tonight. But Ben chose to have someone else in his life now, and so did she. She found herself holding her fiancée's hand just a little bit tighter. They glanced at each other briefly while the media took their photo. All the while, Oritel hadn't made the slightest attempt to break free of her hold, she'd noticed.

"I think tradition demands that we have our first dance as a newly engaged couple" he whispered into her ear.

Marion could feel Bennett's eyes burning into her back as her fiancée led her to the dancefloor and positioned her right hand over his broad shoulder and held her left one in his.

Even though they were moving effortlessly, it was a bit awkward, she had to admit. At one point, Oritel spun her around and gently drew her body back towards his, sending chills down her spine. He was a much better dancer than her ex.

"How do you like the palace so far?" he asked, unexpectedly. Fortunately, other couple started joining them on the dancefloor.

"Lovelier than anything I've ever seen, your majesty" she answered with honesty. Oritel chuckled.

"We're getting married in nine days, 'Oritel' will do just fine" he reminded. Though it sounded more like an order. Marion laughed nervously.

"Sure your- I mean Oritel" she corrected, "I guess now would be a good time to get to know each other?" she asked, raising a brow. She found him less and less intimidating by the minute.

"You're an Alfea student" he said. Marion noted that it wasn't a question. But of course! The King must've dug up all the information he could find. He was bound to want to know everything about the woman he was going to marry. Marion only hoped that he hadn'd found anything cringe-worthy. It was too late to go rummaging through her brain now.

"And you...go to Red Fountain?" she asked, hesistantly. She almost couldn't believe her carelessness. Her future husband knew about her but she knew nothing about him! Luckily, she remembered something that her father had mentioned once about his studies but that was it. Wait...weren't he and Demetri classmates?

"I used to" he corrected, "I graduated two years ago", Marion could smack herself. Their age difference was just another detail she'd missed.

"You can rest assured that our marriage won't interfere with your studies" he told her. Marion smiled clumsily.

"I-I'm sure it won't...I graduate this year" she said, for the lack of anything better to say. Oritel merely nodded in response. He probably already knew that too. If he hadn't figured out her problem by now, her constant stammering was sure to give her away.

As if the members of the Orchestra could read her thoughts, their musical piece suddenly came to an end. This was her chance to make an escape.

"If you'll excuse me, your majesty, I need to freshen up", she told him. She had to find Demetri. Marion asked the guards for directions and made her way through a corridor that led to the restrooms first.

"Oww!" she gasped as someone grabbed her arm, rather roughly.

"Is this your way of taking revenge for what I did?!" he demanded. Marion stared at Bennett wide-eyed, before she yanked her arm out of his grip.

"What is the matter with you?!", she asked, startled. First she made a fool of herself with Oritel and now this? He scoffed.

"You're asking me? It hasn't been a month since we broke up and you're engaged! I'm pretty sure I should be asking the questions" he told her. Marion stared at him in disbelief.

"You don't get to ask me anything anymore. In case you forgot, you are the reason we broke up" Marion said, all in one breath, "Ben, I don't have to explain anything to you…ever again" she told him, walking away. But Ben followed, easily keeping up with her pace.

"Look, I messed up, I get it. And I'm sorry, but you didn't have to do all of this", he said, waving his arms for emphasis, "To get me to see it", he moved to stand in front of her.

"You win Marion, I shouldn't have done what I did, it's just…the way everyone was treating me, I guess, I let it go to my head", he told her. He was letting her win?

"But marrying the King? Come on now…isn't that a bit much?", he said looking baffled, taking her hands in his. Marion immediately pulled away. This was wrong.

"Ben, I'm engaged", she said slowly, stressing every word. But the man in front of her remained nonchalant.

"I know. But you don't have to be anymore", he said, warily, "I appologized". Did he really expect her to just call everything off? She stared at him, incredulous.

"Bennett, I haven't heard from you in weeks! If it hadn't been for this party, who knows if I'd ever heard from you again",

"I needed time", he said simply.

"And I need to get back to my fiancée" she told him firmly, "I'm marrying Oritel and you don't have a say in this!" Even weeks after breaking up, she was still angry with him. Was his ego really so much bigger than his love for her? If he was that feeble than perhaps breaking up was the best way to go. No matter how she'd miss him and all the moments they'd spent.

Marion turned her back on him and walked away, but this time he didn't follow. Ben was her first love and her past, King Oritel was her future.

When she got back to the great hall, she looked around trying to spot her brother amongst the guests.

"Blue sapphire brings good fortune, you know?" a voice came beside her. Marion turned aprubtly.

"Lady Samara" she aknowledged. Blue sapphire? Ah yes, the color of her engagement ring. She gazed down at it at the mention.

"It's said that a blue sapphire means honesty, sincerity and faithfulness. I wish you and the King a long and happy marriage" she said. Marion thanked her wholeheartedly, even though she still wasn't sure if Samara had accepted defeat and was genuinely happy for them, or if something else lied beneath her words.

When she finally caught sight of her brother leaning casually against a pillar with a glass of wine in his hand, it took everything in her not to run.

"Hey apple pie, congradulations!" he called.

"Don't 'apple pie' me, I need to talk to you!" she whispered frantically.

"Don't tell me you argued? Because if that's the case mom's the person you're looking for" he told her, Marion rolled her eyes and ignored his banter.

"Were you and Oritel classmates?" she asked, to which Demetri nearly choked on his wine.

"First name basis already?"

"I'm serious!"

"Of course we were classmates! Didn't I tell you that?" Demetri said, giving her a fake, disappointed stare.

"You don't remember a thing about him, do you?"

"It may have escaped my mind" she admitted sheepishly. She was usually so focused on studying or any other matter of the kind.

"I'm pretty sure I went on about it for a week, but anyhow, there's no time like the present so listen carefully" he said completely serious, "The man's actually nice, there's no need to fear him so quit being so stiff", he chastized. Marion shot him an irritated look, but he continued,

"He graduated with honors, top of our class, great leadership, hence the crown, he's reliable I'll tell you that. He can be a little ambitious, but again -the crown-" he said, pointing at his own head, "Oh, and he can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be, if you know what I mean" her brother said with a wink. Marion gave him a blank stare.

"No, I don't. What do you mean?" she asked. Demetri laughed at her, the nerve!

"You'll find out sooner than later, little sis. By the way, act natural, here he comes" he said, straightening his posture.

"Demetri, it's been a while" Oritel greeted him with a handshake, like he was a friend and not one of his subjects.

"Oritel, great to finally see you"

"I trust everything is in order?" he asked them, but his eyes were on her.

"Oh-I couldn't find you when I got back" she explained.

"And now that you have, my presence is no longer necessary. Little sister, your royal majesty" he bowed before them and left. Marion would've laughed at his dramatic exit had she not been so nervous.

"I first knew about you through your brother, you know?" Oritel mused when they were alone again. Suddenly, Marion knew that her first decree as Queen would involve Demetri's demise.

"He used to talk about me?" she asked, her expression must've been hilarious or pathetic because Oritel was smiling wider than he had all night. He was breathtaking.

"All good things, don't worry", he said grinning. Marion sighed in relief. Just as the orchestra began playing another piece, slower than the first, the King offered his hand to her.

"Shall we?" this time around, Marion wasn't feeling so tense.

"Don't mind if I do" she replied with a smile.